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Former McLaren boss Ron Dennis comments on Lewis Hamilton always giving credit to people who helped him in his career.
Dennis, a legendary team principal, noticed Lewis Hamilton when he was just 13 years old and gave him the opportunity to continue his development as a driver with McLaren. The relationship proved to be highly successful with Hamilton winning the Formula 1 world title in just his second F1 season. However the feat was not to be repeated in subsequent years and in late 2012 Hamilton decided to move to Mercedes.
Despite their professional relationship ending, the Briton continued to give credit to Dennis for helping him in his career, most recently when he won his sixth world championship.
“I got a text from Ron and I just want to send my love, and thank you for spotting me when I was 10 years old and believing in me,” Hamilton said last November after clinching the title.
“Without Ron noticing me at the beginning, I probably wouldn’t even be here.”
Now, in an interview with Sky Sports F1, Dennis gave his comments on the six-time champion.
“Lewis has matured over the years – it’s inevitable because it comes with age – but what I like about him is he doesn’t forget,” Dennis said.
“Our relationship was very much positioned as surrogate father and son – and I don’t think Anthony would have ever been uncomfortable with that – so it was just a time it was right to come of age.
“I don’t always agree with some of the things he says or some of the things he does, but I can know one thing – he will never, ever not appreciate the help that he received from certain people. His father, myself and all the people at McLaren.
“He has shown to the world that the expertise and commitment and the necessity to sacrifice, he demonstrates that so well. That’s a sort of legacy of my guidance and support for him in the early parts of his career.
“Well done – he deserves his world championships.”
“I’m not a big fan of tattoos – but whatever the outcome [of his championship numbers] I’m sure he will never forget,” concluded the Briton.
Source: Sky Sports F1
